Apo, owner of a blog about the Sibila Cartomancy, asked me in comments to explore a bit further the system of numbers i used to interpret my lastest PCO reading. I thought it was a good idea, so i’m doing that, starting now.
First thing, althought this is similar to numerelogy, it’s a view of numbers applied to cartomancy. It might not agree with traditional numerology. Also, the system i use a blend between what Ana Cortez teaches in her book and what i have learnt studying divination over the years. So it’s what works for me…if you disagree, feel free to adapt it in a way that is better for you.
Before we see the numbers themselves, let’s see some basics that might be more helpful than any numerological meanings sometimes:
Even numbers - they are usually considered female and passive. When i see them, i usually think of stable or balanced shapes, such as the square. Too many even numbers can indicate a balanced or stable situation, being or feeling protected, comfortable, having control. However, they also show lack of movement, fear of changing, of moving, of facing conflicts, no matter if they are internal or external.
Odd numbers - they are usually considered masculine and active. When i see them, i think of instability, conflicts (iiner or outer) and changes. Too many of them may indicate a situation in which the person feels without control, without direction, without balance. But they also show the movement and the energy necessary to evolve in life, the need to be free and go against the status quo, the insatisfaction that keeps us pursuing our objectives.
Repeating numbers - when i see many cards of a same number in a spread, it seems to me like a repeating pattern in someone’s life. Instead of going forwards or backwards, the person is in the same place, repeating the same lessons…these are stagnated energies. Also, it might mean something the person should face, but is avoiding at all costs. It gets bigger and bigger, but the person turns a blind eye.
Too many odds/evens - let’s say i have a spread of five cards, and four of them are even and only one is odd. That odd card gets important! After all, it’s breaking the even cards stability. The meaning of the card and the context of the reading should tell what changes this card brings. Also, the many even cards show that the person might be protecting herself from this change.
Another situation: a reading of five cards again, but this time, three are odd and two are even. Seems to me like someone if trying to trying to find balance amidst the chaos. Four odd cards and one even in the middle: Someone’s is the eye of the storm. And so forth.
Low/High numbers - low numbers (six and below) show lower levels of energies, of personal commitment and risks. The problem might really be not so serious, or the person is not giving enough importance to it (though they should). They may also indicate situations that are just starting, specially if the number is really low (like 1 and 2).
High numbers (7 and above), on the other hand, indicate a greater involvement in the situation, important things at stake. The matter may be really significant, or the person is making a storm in a teacup. They may also indicate situations that are about to come to a full circle, specially if the number is really high (like 9 and 10).
These are some basic ideas i try to observe in my readings. Not all of them at the same time - sometimes it’s the contrast between odds and even that call my attention, other times it’s the amount of high or low numbers. It depends on my ‘feeling’ during the reading.
I recommend always looking at the reading like a big picture - see how the numbers interact, which numbers are missing, which numbers are repeating, which numbers complement each other etc. Do the same with suits - which element is missing, which is there in excess, how do the present elements intercommunicate. Are they friendly or not? Do this before even seeing the meaning of the cards, and you’ll already get great insights.
